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Join the HATCH Mastermind Group CDO

Join the HATCH Mastermind Group CDO

Advocacy, Announcements, Arts, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Society, Technology
A mastermind group, where participants can freely brainstorm strategies, create goals and implement ideas as well as support each other, has been launched in Cagayan de Oro City. Dubbed “HATCH Mastermind Group CDO,” the free-for-all group also aims to provide a platform whereby participants can share the challenges they currently face and can seek assistance from the collective intelligence of other participants. Active Twitter users Mike of @mikeabonitalla, Vic of @vicmadz and Irene of @mindanaoan, who can also share strategies based on their respective fields of expertise, serve as the lead volunteer organizers of HATCH Mastermind Group CDO. “Cagayan de Oro is a thriving city. There are lots of investments coming in and there are lots of new and possible marketing strategies. With...
Covering the 1st presidential debate in Cagayan de Oro #CDO

Covering the 1st presidential debate in Cagayan de Oro #CDO

Advocacy, Blogging, Headline, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Society, Technology
It's game time. Today, February 21, 2016, all of the presidential candidates for the May 9, 2016 Philippine elections will all converge in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines for the first round of "PiliPinas Debates 2016." And Mindanaoan will be there to observe, comment and cover. I will be one of the only 300 allowed to be inside the debate hall. I will also be among the 25 media observers. I am hoping to harness the power of social media today. May I invite you all to follow me: Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/mindanaoan Facebook - http://www.twitter.com/mindanaoanblogger Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mindanaoan Snapchat - Username is mindanaoan Please follow Bukidnon Blogger @malaybalayan as well. We will both be there. The debate will start at 5 PM and will last for...
CDO press club to boycott Feb. 21 presidential debate?

CDO press club to boycott Feb. 21 presidential debate?

Announcements, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Society
The Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) has released a statement of indignation where they cried foul over alleged discrimination in the media coverage for the first presidential debate set on February 21, 2016. The debate is the first in a series organized by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) alongside various media companies. Please read and share the full statement of the COPC on why the call for BOYCOTT. I also shared a few personal thoughts below. Statement of Indignation Cagayan de Oro Press Club, Inc. 14 February 2016 Respect the local press community We, members of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club Inc., express our serious concerns over what appears to be an attempt to bar the provincial press from covering the first Presidential debate scheduled at the Capitol University...
Mindanaoan.com shortlisted in 2015 Globe Media Excellence Awards

Mindanaoan.com shortlisted in 2015 Globe Media Excellence Awards

Announcements, Bisaya, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Features, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, News, Technology
A total of 58 entries were shortlisted for various categories of the Globe Media Excellence Awards (GMEA), the most anticipated premier award-giving body that gives recognition to excellence in journalism in Mindanao. The premier award-giving body which recognizes excellence in journalism from the best breed of scribes in Visayas and Mindanao, the awards gives recognition to print, broadcast, and digital media practitioners who have excelled in their respective fields. Awards night for the GMEA Mindanao leg will be held on November 17. “The number of entries that we received this year is a testament to the commitment of media practitioners to provide exemplary reporting in their respective fields given the vital role of the press in effecting positive societal transformation and nati...
3 tips to make travels in the Philippines more efficient, relaxed

3 tips to make travels in the Philippines more efficient, relaxed

Blogging, Corporate, Leisure, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personal, Society, Technology, Travel
These days, traveling can be such a pain. Not only do you have to deal with flight delays, monster traffic to and fro the airport and even bungled up hotel bookings, you also need to figure out how you can keep yourself entertained during those long, tiresome waiting periods. Are there ways to make travels in the Philippines a little more relaxed, efficient and productive, you wonder? As a frequent traveler, I've had my fair share of traveling woes. Allow me to share 3 tips, which I personally abide by, on how to make your trips in the Philippines bearable and even fun! Be mindful of what and how you pack I'm not just talking about rolling your clothes instead of folding them to save space (I highly recommend this, by the way) but also learning how to pack as light and as complete...
4,000 likes on Facebook! Join my simple giveaway

4,000 likes on Facebook! Join my simple giveaway

Announcements, Blogging, Freebies, Gifts, Shopping, Technology
Hi, everyone! Just discovered something pretty exciting today! My humble Facebook page has reached 4,000 likes! :) Well, technically, it's nearing 4,100 likes now so I'm really very thrilled! Daghang salamat, thank you very much for the support. Are we Facebook friends yet? If we aren't yet, please do join me here: http://www.facebook.com/mindanaoanblogger Now to celebrate, I'm giving away a couple of items in the next few weeks! :) Let me start with these :) Two winners will receive a PagBAG-o Project tote bag plus two pieces of Chorvita mini notepads by Tahanan Books each. The PagBAG-o Project bags are made by female Typhoon Sendong survivors who now live at Xavier Ecoville. Read more about these bags and how buying them can help the livelihood of many women survivors ...
Joining the Google Translate marathon in CDO

Joining the Google Translate marathon in CDO

Announcements, Bisaya, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Education, Technology
I recently attended a pretty exciting event here in Cagayan de Oro. I took part in a Google Translate-a-thon, where volunteers like myself translated phrases and sentences from English to Tagalog, Tagalog to English and English to Cebuano. Together with 7 other volunteers, I had fun translating phrases like “mamahalin kita nang walang hanggan,” (IKR, #WhoGoat hehe) “asa man ang balay nilang Tasyo” and even interesting, challenging lines like, “ang kapal ng mukha mo!” I found that challenging because if I translated it quite literally, I felt that the “essence” of the phrase would diminish! How would you translate that, though? :) We also came across a lot of “hugot lines” so that was pretty fun. We did the translations for Google Translate, Google’s free online language translation s...
#Come2CDO social media campaign launched

#Come2CDO social media campaign launched

Advocacy, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Society, Technology, Tourism
The Cagayan de Oro Bloggers launched the #Come2CDO social media campaign today, July 18, 2015, in an effort to help promote the city online. The #Come2CDO online campaign, a yearly social media initiative of the CDO Bloggers, Inc. that began in 2013, aims to promote the city's best in terms of adventure destinations, food selections, hotels and other accommodations, tourist spots and ultimately, the warmth of a Kagayanon's friendship. By sharing photos, stories and other posts on social media and by adding the hashtags #Come2CDO and #CDO, the public can help populate the Internet with helpful entries about Cagayan de Oro. These entries can aid would-be and existing visitors as well as investors of this dynamic city. You can monitor the results of this social media campaign on ...
Why SkinStation CDO rocks

Why SkinStation CDO rocks

Beauty, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Events, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Shopping, Society, Style
SkinStation CDO is finally open! The popular skin care, slimming and firming treatments clinic chain, opened its 23rd branch in the Philippines at the 2nd Floor of SM CDO last June 27, 2015. SkinStation CDO is a sister company of Dermax Laser Center CDO, located at Ayala Centrio. I was invited to the opening and blessing of SkinStation Cagayan de Oro. A mini press conference was held prior and there, I again met SkinStation founder, CEO and award-winning chemist Fred Reyes, his wife Carleen, son Gedric, and SkinStation's amiable PR Nardene Garcia. I met them just a few months ago during Dermax CDO's opening. I also met the clinic chain's latest celebrity endorser, Julian Flores (model and Binibining Pilipinas 2014 semi-finalist). According to Mr. Reyes, various procedures includi...
Thoughts on that peace process forum invitation

Thoughts on that peace process forum invitation

Advocacy, ARMM, Basilan, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Commentary, Controversial, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Society
Sometimes it fascinates me how certain people especially those who advocate sensitive causes seem to downplay bloggers. These people tend to think that "just because" you write about food, fashion and lifestyle, you don't "contribute" to relevant, important conversations. I think they have this misconception that "just because" bloggers like us hardly write about politics and news and current affairs, we don't at least try to do our part in nation building. Take the case of an invitation sent to me and my fellow bloggers here in Northern Mindanao. This was for a supposed "peace forum" from 8:30 am to 12 noon. "Looking for young lifestyle bloggers, bloggers in general, opinion shapers and writers who want to deploy your skills and influence for the peace process in Mindanao. This is an ...
That Amazing Wine-Paired Degustation At Movenpick Resort Cebu

That Amazing Wine-Paired Degustation At Movenpick Resort Cebu

Blogging, Business, Cebu City, Events, Features, Flights, Food, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Society, Style, Tourism, Travel
Degustation is a culinary term that means meticulous food tasting of special signature dishes. Usually consisting of several courses, each paired with matching wines that complement each dish, a degustation aims to heighten one’s senses and allows one to appreciate food at its finest. That’s exactly what happened during my recent stay at Moevenpick Hotel Mactan Cebu. I flew via Philippine Airlines and underwent a wine-paired degustation at the Conservatory of the Ibiza Beach Club, led by no other than popular Cebu businessman and passionate sommelier Manuel “Manny” Osmeña. This was how the Ibiza Beach Club looked like that night: Before that, though, Manny O gave me and my fellow media guests a tour of his private wine cellar. Only a handful of people have ever set foot here s...
Soul Refresh At Movenpick Hotel Mactan Cebu

Soul Refresh At Movenpick Hotel Mactan Cebu

Blogging, Cebu City, Features, Hotels, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Reviews, Tourism, Travel
How do you say no to a weekend of flight via Philippine Airlines and 5-star accommodation, gastronomical pleasure and pampering via Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu? It was an invitation I just could not resist. Cool gift from Philippine Airlines @flypal #flypal #aviation #travel A photo posted by Mindanaoan.com Irene (@mindanaoan) on May 16, 2015 at 2:28am PDT Philippine Airlines, which is re-introducing its daily Cagayan de Oro-Cebu flights, recently flew Mindanaoan.com to the Queen City of the South to experience a specific kind of luxury - one that I could only describe as refreshing for one’s soul, mind and heart. It was a short but smooth and comfortable flight, the kind that you can only expect with the country’s flag carrier. I even checked-in online via PAL’s website...
How to donate for Philippine Eagle conservation through your cellphone

How to donate for Philippine Eagle conservation through your cellphone

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Events, Features, Headline
Here's a really worrisome fact: only 400 pairs of the Philippine Eagle are left in the wild. Read that again and I know you will feel chills down your spine...as I did. Because of hunting/poaching and deforestation, the Philippine eagle is declared critically endangered and nearly at the brink of extinction...unless we all do our share to help save our national bird. Yesterday, June 12, 2015, I noticed an event online and got really touched and inspired by it. It was the "#FlyFreePamana" campaign led by the Philippine Eagle Foundation and Globe Business. Pamana is the name of a 5-year old female rescued eagle from Midsaling Creek, Iligan City. When she was found, she was a very weak 8-month old eagle that suffered two gunshot wounds - one on its left breast and another on its left wing....
How I Use Globe GCash MasterCard As Easy As 1-2-3

How I Use Globe GCash MasterCard As Easy As 1-2-3

Announcements, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Corporate, Features, Gifts, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, News, Reviews, Shopping, Society, Technology
If, like me, you're the type of person who likes the convenience of shopping or paying bills (online or offline) using a debit or credit card BUT requires an easy-to-understand way to keep track of all the spending OR if you need a credit card sans the hassle, then you will love the new Globe GCash MasterCard. I learned the beauty of this baby just a few weeks ago during a trip to the gorgeous, world-famous Boracay Island, where I experienced the whole LaBoracay 2015 madness. I was in Boracay not only to bask in the sun or for the unbeatable, high-energy beach parties hosted by Globe Telecom but for this other important mission as well: To take over summer and be a #SwipeAholic with the help of the new Globe GCash MasterCard. The Globe Cash MasterCard is a GCash Car...
With Daddy’s Home of X Factor Philippines

With Daddy’s Home of X Factor Philippines

Blogging, Bukidnon, Entertainment, Events, Features, Malaybalay City, Music, Personalities, Photos
From a breakfast meeting in Cagayan de Oro to several errands here and there to a 3-hour journey to Malaybalay City, Bukidnon just to catch friends - it was all super worth it! Very happy to see Daddy's Home again. This vocal group bagged the 2nd runner-up title during the first run of X Factor Philippines and they performed in one of the Malaybalay City Charter Day 2015 events last March 20, 2015 at Freedom Park. To say that they brought the house down is actually an understatement. The guys really gave their all - it was such a treat to watch them perform live and wow the crowd! I know brothers Ebet and Allan Silonga back when E was still busy with K24/7. Allan - wow, you have to hear this man sing. Ebet - I wasn't used to see him without his guitar but I was pleasantly surpris...
Re-elected as CDO Bloggers VP for External Affairs

Re-elected as CDO Bloggers VP for External Affairs

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Features, Internet, Make Money Online, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal
Note: This was published on Mindanao Gold Star Daily newspaper last March 6, 2015 I have just been re-elected as the Vice President for External Affairs of the CDO Bloggers, Inc., a non-profit, SEC-registered group composed of bloggers, online workers and social media practitioners that does not only promote the city and other parts of Northern Mindanao but also the responsible use of the Internet. I’m pretty excited with our group’s upcoming projects including a school tour where we aim to teach kids Internet etiquette, social media activism and online volunteerism as well as blog workshops where attendees can learn how to create their own blogs, draw maximum traffic for their websites and even earn online. And with the elections coming up, we also plan to use our own online mechanisms...
I Am Again A Newspaper Columnist

I Am Again A Newspaper Columnist

Announcements, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Blogging, Entertainment, Events, Features, Headline, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Style, Tourism, Travel
Very, very thrilled to share that I am (again) a newspaper columnist! Starting February 20, 2015, I will be one of the columnists at Gold Star Daily, Mindanao's largest newspaper. I have named my column "Mindanaoan Meets World" as I plan to write about lifestyle, music, a little bit of politics and showbiz and travel not only within the Philippines but around the world, too! My first stint as newspaper correspondent, columnist and part-time editor started way, way back. Like eons of light years ago haha! But life happened, I took a career detour and eventually, was already happy and contented to just work with the traditional media practitioners instead :) With this new development, though, I guess this is not only trying my hand again at writing for a daily newspaper but also my way of...
A tour of Globe Telecom’s Gen3 Store at Limketkai CDO

A tour of Globe Telecom’s Gen3 Store at Limketkai CDO

Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Internet, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Opinion, Reviews, Technology
When I was in New York City, USA in 2012, one of the things I did was visit the iconic Apple store along 5th Avenue (and have my photo taken in front of the incredible glass cube) and buy my own iPad 2 (it was a big thing then!). My experience at that store was very nice and that was a memory that continued to linger. Back then, I hoped to experience that kind of customer service and perhaps see a similar store in the Philippines. Fast forward 2014, not only did I get to meet Tim Kobe, the very designer of the Apple stores (and of the Nike Concept Stores, Knoll, Virgin Atlantic Airways, and Citibank, just to name a few more!) but I also got to see (and experience!) his signature skill and expertise in innovative design when the much-talked about Globe Telecom "Generation 3" or Gen3 stor...
Mindanaoan.com declared top CDO blog by ICT Awards

Mindanaoan.com declared top CDO blog by ICT Awards

Advocacy, Announcements, Arts, Bisaya, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Headline, Internet, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Musings, News, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Personalities, Society, Technology
It is with utmost humility that I announce that Mindanaoan.com has just been declared as a "Top CDO Blog" in the recently concluded 2014 ICT Awards held at the Activity Center, Centrio Mall, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. The ICT Awards, organized by the CDO ICT Business Council, Cagayan de Oro's main information and communications technology organization, recognizes websites, individuals and organizations involved in the city's IT industry. The citation reads: "The 2014 ICT Awards, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, National Telecommunications and Communications, Department of Science and Technology - ICTO and the City Government of Cagayan de Oro, presents this Top CDO Blog Award to www.Mindanaoan.com for the creation and maintenance of an exceptional b...
GBG Women CDO to offer FREE workshop for female entrepreneurs

GBG Women CDO to offer FREE workshop for female entrepreneurs

Advocacy, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Education, Entertainment, Events, Internet, Make Money Online, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Technology
Fabulous news for women entrepreneurs! Led by the Google Business Group - Women (GBG - Women), a workshop that will teach females interested in business (or who currently run their own businesses) on how to bring their business online using FREE resources will be held on December 17, 2014! This GBG Women CDO led event will be held at Miami Inn, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City. Learn how you can maximize FREE online resources for your business! Learn how you can establish online presence for your business! Registration is FREE so sign up now as there are limited slots only! REGISTER HERE * EXCLUSIVE FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS ONLY *   Here's a map of Miami Inn: On a personal note: The blogger behind Mindanaoan.com is the GBG Women lead. I would be thrilled to meet my...
Be a part of the CDO Bloggers Christmas outreach project

Be a part of the CDO Bloggers Christmas outreach project

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Features, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Society, Technology
In 2011, the Cagayan de Oro Bloggers trekked to the city's farthest barangay. It's so far that it would take you 2 to 3 hours of land travel aboard a dump truck, with the possibility of sharing that ride with animals, vegetables and other produce and lots of other people. The dump truck transpo also only operates once a week. In other words, it can be quite an experience to travel to Besigan, Barangay Cadayunan, CDO, where there's no electricity, no paved roads, lots of school children who barely have school supplies and families who would most likely be very thrilled to receive Noche Buena packs this Christmas. Would you like to be a Santa Claus this year and help out? We can bring your gifts for them on your behalf. Mindanaoan (who is currently the Vice President for External Affairs ...
How to continue helping Typhoon Sendong survivors

How to continue helping Typhoon Sendong survivors

Advocacy, Announcements, Arts, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Fashion, Features, Gifts, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Society, Style
Any project that can help Typhoon Sendong (international name: Washi) survivors always interest me. You see, my family and I were also victims of the typhoon. We faced business losses, yes, but all of us were safe and still had so much to be thankful for. That was the reason why my family and I launched donation drives and relief goods distribution. That was also when I experienced first hand the power of social media. Because of my social media posts, lots of help came in from all over the world (not to mention lots of interview requests from national and international media outlets including BBC and CNN!) and our humble garage became a makeshift donation area, where people can leave donations, where volunteers can come repack and even join us when we distribute the items to various areas...
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